Motoring Jargon Jargon - B
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The figure you will have to pay if you decide to keep your car at the end of a leasing agreement. Probably determined by the minimum future guaranteed value. See our Guide to leasing for more details.
Unit of measurement of power, often used to denote a car's maximum power output. One horsepower is roughly equivalent to one Pfedestarke (PS), which also commonly used to denote a car's power. Confusingly Kilowatts are also used to denote power and, when twinned with three different unit measurements for torque, lead to headaches for website editors. A Bugatti Veyron has the highest bhp of any production car, at between 1020 and 1040bhp. A Smart FortTwo has 50.
Biofuels generally refers to ethanol derived from a range of crops from wheat to sugar cane, but the term is used more generally to mean any fuel derived from an organic material, including biodiesel. Biofuel cars often have uprated power and decreased emissions, though their cleanliness mainly derives from the carbon dioxide the crops suck out of the atmosphere while growing. Ford and Saab are leading the biofuel charge in the UK, but you can expect them to become much more prevalent in the near future.
Volkswagen's new generation of cleaner vehicles. Bluemotion vehicles include the Polo and use increased aerodynamics, longer gearing and particulate filters to scrub pollutants from emissions. The result is increased efficiency and lower carbon output.
Wireless technology increasingly seen on cars that connects multiple devices - usually phones - via an in-car platform.
Describes how a vehicle moves on top of its suspension when taking a corner. Usually more of a problem in high-sided vehicles like MPVs.
A definition requested by one of our confused readers, a bootleg shifter is a non-original gearstick knob that may be procured if the original one falls off. It's either that, or it's something else entirely.
An engine where cylinders are horizontally-opposed, and near flat. Boxer engines are symmetrically balanced, which tends to improve vehicle dynamics.
Increases braking pressure when emergency braking is detected, cutting stopping distances by as much as one fifth. Widely used on Mercedes vehicles.
Electronic control units engages the alternator during braking, or when a vehicle's engine is on overrun and limiting power drawn from the engine while cruising. The alternator engages to charge the battery from this energy, which would otherwise be wasted. The result is reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
An internet broker usually buys cars from dealers and sells them to customers, as opposed to intermediary sites who connect dealers to customers without directly participating in buying or selling.
B-segment cars generally refer to superminis such as the Toyota Yaris, Vauxhall Corsa, Honda Jazz, Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta and Fiat Punto. The naming convention is informal and subject to interpretation as vehicle classes become less stratified by the introduction of crossover vehicles that do not readily fit a body style.
Bushings hinge cars onto the suspension on which they sit, ensuring the wheel does not move backwards and forwards within the wheel arch. Worn bushings need to be replaced otherwise driveability and safety may be compromised.
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Cow pats, coffee beans, deceased cats and dirty nappies might not sound the sort of stuff you want to fill your car with, but all have been posited as potential alternative fuels to oil. | 05/09/2008
As more drivers turn to all-road estate cars to fill the gap left by a gargantuan 4X4, MT scouts Volvo, Audi and Subaru to see how the leading lights shape up against one another. | 05/09/2008
Gas guzzling manufacturers suffer as high taxes and petrol prices bite, but bad news for manufacturers could be good news for buyers. | 05/09/2008
Toyota has revealed new images of the new ultra-small iQ city car, which will go on sale in the UK in January from around £10,000. | 05/09/2008
England spinner Monty Panesar becomes brand ambassador for Jaguar and collects a brand new XKR sports car from the Big Cat. | 05/09/2008
|05/09/2008
Toyota has revealed new images of the new ultra-small iQ city car, which will go on sale in the UK in January from around £10,000.
|04/09/2008
Volkswagen’s new Scirocco coupe arrives in UK showrooms this week, priced from a shade under £21K, yet can be yours for £259 per month courtesy of VW’s personal contract plan.
|05/09/2008
New-car and van registrations in August drop 20 per cent over the month, used car values are worst since early-90s recession. The recession hits the UK car market.
|05/09/2008
Cow pats, coffee beans, deceased cats and dirty nappies might not sound the sort of stuff you want to fill your car with, but all have been posited as potential alternative fuels to oil.
|04/09/2008
Hyundai rolling up to Paris Motor Show brimming with new models and concepts. Like the world debut-making Hyundai i20 supermini, and all-new Santa Fe petrol-electric hybrid SUV crossover and ix55 SUV.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|14/03/2008
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will take the multi award-winning BBC TV Top Gear show on the road, as the live event goes worldwide.
|28/03/2008
Volkswagen has been forced to issue a statement on the Polo singing dog advert after complaints that the dog was mistreated. VW says the animal was not harmed.
|05/01/2007
Using new ´dust-to-dust´ scales that measure a vehicle´s environmental impact from construction to scarpping the Jeep Wrangler 4x4 surprisingly emerged as the greenest car on the market
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